The President Acts on Climate Change

New York City -- President Obama's executive orders today on energy that include allowing states to set their own emissions standards and his decision to accelerate standards for 2011 cars are a welcome relief after the climate obstructionism of the Bush years. Welcomed by Republican Governor Schwarzenegger and other governors on both sides of the aisle, President Obama's order will give states the flexibility denied them by the Bush Administration to take action on cleaning their states and taking action on climate change.

The President's statement made clear that the various initiatives are designed to enhance, not in any way harm, the competitiveness of the U.S. auto sector. This quick action on the climate issue is another sign of the urgency with which the new Administration views climate change. We expect more executive orders to help create a clean economy in coming days.